Unrest continues in Dili: there were two more victims and the homes of a priest and the national police chief were burned down. Yesterday, the government made an official plea for international help. Australia, Portugal, Malaysia and New Zealand have responded.
Dili (AsiaNews) Australian war ships are approaching Dili's shores while the first contingent of commandoes is already in place in the airport of the capital. Canberra responded to the call for international help made yesterday by Timorese authorities struggling to calm clashes between former soldiers and the army, under way for three days in the capital.
Sources of AsiaNews on site said: "The people can already see Australian war ships in the sea; they are heading for the port." Meanwhile, violent unrest continued. The spokesman of President Xanana Gusmao said one captain of the armed forces and a policeman were killed in today's clashes around the capital. Around 20 were wounded, including a South Korean businessman. The sources continued: "At the moment, armed clashes are taking place around the military police headquarters. Meanwhile, the homes of a priest, Fr Domingos Maubere and of the head of operations of the national police, Ismael Babo, have been set on fire".
Since the unrest started on 28 April, the situation has deteriorated steadily: Dili is in chaos; a dozen people have been killed and thousands have fled towards rural areas. The troubles started when 600 soldiers deserted one-third of the armed forces to protest ethnic discriminations in their career.
Yesterday the Timorese Foreign Affairs Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, confirmed the request for aid from abroad, a possibility first mooted days ago. In response, the Australian premier John Howard sent a first contingent of 150 commandoes to protect the international airport. Canberra plans to send between 1000 and 1,300 men to the island.
Horta said the appeal for aid had been sent also to New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal, Timor's one-time colonial master. Lisbon has guaranteed the dispatch of 120 military police officers and the United Nations is evaluating the young state's plea for help.